ACT 44 Disclosure
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ACT 13

Water Notification System

SNOW REMOVAL POLICY

It is the Borough's intention to keep all of its roads plowed and salted this winter. It is our policy to plow and salt any hills and main roads, then side streets and Borough Parking lots.

It would help our snow removal efforts if citizens would try to keep from parking along the roads during heavy snow. This way we will be able to keep roads clean more efficiently.

It is almost impossible for the equipment operators not to push some snow into driveways that are already plowed. If you must plow your driveway prior to completion of the street plowing, clear an area on the side of the driveway from which the truck will approach. This provides an area for snow to unload before it reaches the driveway.

SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL FROM SIDEWALKS

Ordinance Number 1146 requires all owners or occupants of property as tenants, fronting on any of the streets in the Borough of Somerset to keep the sidewalks in front of, or along said properties clear free of snow and ice. This is to help insure that pedestrians pass safely over sidewalks.

Tips on How to Protect your Water Meters

During Winter Months, we asked that you take special care to protect your water meter from freezing. This will not only help us by not having to send an employee to repair the frozen meters, but is beneficial to you and the owner/tenant of the property are responsible for for paying for the frozen water meter and for the labor for replacing it. Some tips on preventing damage caused by frozen meters:

Locate the meter in a place that is heated and out of the wind and weather (like a basement or crawl space).

If the meter or water lines are not in a properly heated area, wrap your meter and water lines with insulation and/or heat tapes (Available at local hardware stores).

In extreme cases of cold, let one of your faucets run very slowly. A slight increase in your water bill may be better than the costly task of replacing frozen meters, water pipes, or property damage.

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE AND CODE ENFORCEMENT

As a reminder to Somerset Borough residents, the Borough’s
Code Enforcement Department will continue to enforce the
Property Maintenance Codes and the High Grass Ordinance. Common causes for violations being issued are:

grass
exceeding 6” in height

garbage around the property

structural deficiencies

unsecured vacant structures with broken
windows / open doors etc.

WHEN ARE BUILDING PERMITS REQUIRED?

With the arrival of warmer weather, here are some tips for those planning construction projects: Permits are required:

• To construct, enlarge, alter, or demolish a structure.
• When sanitary facilities (water / sewer) are added.
• When a proposed change occurs in the use of a building.
• When driveway construction is planned.
• When fencing is erected.
• When streets are excavated.

A comprehensive listing of activities requiring permits is available at our Inspections Department; by calling Building Inspector Tom Jury at 445-5595; and on our web site www.somersetborough.com.

NO SIGNS ALLOWED ON TREES, POLES

Somerset Borough reminds residents not to place signs on trees or utility poles. The Somerset Borough Zoning Ordinance prohibits signs from being attached to trees or utility poles. Recently there have been incidents of yard sale signs being placed on trees, utility and sign poles, as well as traffic signal poles.

This is a violation of Section 183-34 of the Somerset Borough Zoning Ordinance, and is subject to a fine of up to $250 per day for each violation.

Recycling Collections

Waste Management will be picking up recyclables for every resident in Somerset Borough beginning Monday, March 26th, 2012.

Please place your plastics, clear and colored glass and aluminum in a container near the curb of your street. Collection days will resume every Monday thereafter.

There is no charge for this service.

Posted 3-23-12

Public Comment Policy

Adopted by the Council of the Borough of Somerset: January 24, 2011

Council
The Pennsylvania Sunshine Act (65 Pa. C.S. 701, et seq.) provides that the Board or Council of a political subdivision shall provide a reasonable opportunity at each advertised regular meeting and advertised special meeting for residents of the political subdivision or for taxpayers of the political subdivision or to comment on matters of concern, official action or deliberation which are or may be before the Board or Council prior to taking official action. (710.1).

To assure compliance with the Act, to inform members of the public who may wish to make comment, and to provide for predictable and orderly implementation of the public comment period, Somerset Borough Council has adopted this Public Comment Policy. READ MORE >